This Seriously Was $40?
We were a little bit early for our check-in for the Japanese Craft Beer Tasting. This was a new event for 2015 - little was given with its description other than a chance to get to try some Japanese Craft Beers. We went in with no expectations other than that but we weren’t expecting much as it was a super low price point in comparison to many of the other special Food & Wine Offerings.
We were blown.......................... away with it!
It was open seating among the outdoor garden area of Japan so we took a seat at a 4-Top in the shade as I was feeling really hot still.
As people were still arriving, we were given a Frozen Kirin until the event officially kicked off. This apparently was developed by Kirin to keep the beer cold for a while in the hot sun! The lightness of this beer worked well frozen and I liked it as it helped cool me down.
Frozen Kirin
We had another married couple from Southwest Florida sit down at our table and it was great having someone to talk to that we had some stuff in common with so the conversation went smoothly! We all were really impressed with the menu.
Menu
To enjoy with our Frozen Kirin (which they refilled if you had made it disappeared) we were given a Dashi Cake. This was the exact same rice that we had the nice before at the Hibachi Experience. I made a joke to my husband that they probably make it with the rice from last night but kept in a cake type pan. Either way, we both were happy with it! The rice was just as good as it was the night before in its different form.
Dashi Rice Cake
They displayed all the beers at the front and we were given a history of Japanese Craft Beers by the Japan Beverage Manager along with a host from Kirin Beer Company. Apparently it is super difficult to locate Japanese Craft Beers in the states and they had to specially order in just enough for the events for some of the beers we would have so sadly they won’t be available outside of the event. We were given an overview of the craft beer movement in Japan and how it is really popular nowadays. They also wanted to use this event to expose us to what Japan considers to be pub food. With the amount of the beer that would be coming, I’m glad they were giving us food as we needed something to soak it up.
All The Beers
I’m going to honest - I don’t like IPAs. I was predispositioned against this drink before I even tried it. My predisposition stayed as it was too hoppy for me (but at least it wasn’t as hoppy as some of the US ones) The Spicy Edamame it was paired with a great way to start the meal as the spice mix was lovely.
Oze No Yukidoke IPA
Spicy Edamame
I’m really not the biggest Scallop fan but the beer (its the blue bottle on the top beer photo) was my favorite! The beer was very icy and was light and crisp. It also was one of the few beers you would be able to buy at the store in Japan. The Scallops were ok but would have been happier if they were shrimp.
Ginga Kogen
Fried Panko Scallops w/ Spicy Cod Sauce
The rice beer worked well with the salmon. It had a different flavor to it that I hadn’t had before nor could I describe it well.
Koshihikari Rice Beer
Salmon Temari Sushi
The stout was a good Japanese version of an English Stout, if that makes any sense. I didn’t like the sausage but my husband did and he stole mine so they didn’t go wasted!
Echigo Stout
Grilled Kurobuta Smoked Sausage
This ginger ale was my 2nd favorite of the six ‘craft’ beers as it was light and the ginger was subdued just enough to get the flavor without it overpowering the beer. The chicken would have been better if it was warm - as all the dishes were served at once, it was cold either when originally served or cooled down while it was waiting on its match of a beer. I did like its flavor but we left about half of it behind as cold fried chicken just isn’t for us.
Kitachino Nest Ginger Ale
Chicken Karaage
The final beer was a good finish. The seared beef was my favorite of the courses as it went down easily (and I totally stole my husband’s as he was too drunk to enjoy it)
Tamano Megumi
Seared Beef Tataki
They didn’t hurry us out at the end of the event and let us sip whatever beers we had left and get refills on the Frozen Kirin if we wanted another. We continued for a bit chatting with our tablemates until we parted ways. I knew my husband was feeling all the beer as he almost left his cell phone at the table and had to run back for it!
Mr. Dis_Yoda w/ another Frozen Kirin leaving event
This event was splendid! The value for our dollar was great in comparison to a lot of the various events we’ve done in the past as the beer was totally free flowing!
'Batting the eyelashes' apparently worked wonders.
lease dress to impress and be prepared to be photographed on camera!
